Tara Murray
Kealba-Green Gully is hoping to get back into contention in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association Luscombe Shield.
After slipping down the ladder the past few seasons, the Cougars feel they have the right mix heading into this season.
Captain-coach Evan Long said they were feeling really good heading into this season.
“We picked up a few players which has been huge,” he said. “The expectation this season is to make finals.
“We’ve got some talented youngsters coming through now who are a bit more experienced. There’s the hunger in the team to get some success which we had a lot of in the previous decade.”
While the inclusion of new players is exciting, for Long it’s the development of those who have come through the club the most.
“There’s been a few guys that have come through the juniors into thirds, seconds and and holding their spots in senior division,” he said.
“I remember them as little tackers and they will be important for success going forward.
“They are growing into their skins and talent.”
Long highlighted a couple of players he was looking forward to seeing develop.
Charlie Hammond-Collins, who is a handy bowler, has been thrown the job opening the batting early this season.
Long said it was an idea for them going forward.
Riley Maitland has been around for a while but has cemented his spot as the side’s wicketkeeper and Long said he was keen to see him in the role for a long time.
The Cougars got on the board in round two with a win against the Chargers. Round one had been washed out.
The Cougars made 393 on day one of the match with Long top scoring with 103.
The captain said they had made a real focus on batting out the overs to try and put as many runs on the board as possible.
“We stuck to the game plan.”
Rain threatened day two of the match, but they were finally able to get underway.
The Cougars were bowled out for 251 in the 63rd over.
Travis Barratt bowled unchanged from one end, taking 6-94.
Long said they wouldn’t have won without Barratt.
“It was Travis’s 250th game that round as well,” he said. “He was the man for the moment.
“He’s a reliable guy and I go to him for a lot of feedback.”
The Cougars round three match is a one-dayer against the Merrifield Panthers.
